Travel Date: July 2010
You’re going to Alaska…ALONE? That’s the question family, friends and coworkers asked me again and again when I told them about my big trip to Alaska. I suffered from constant bear jokes tossed at me by my boss. But in the end, all of the teasing and hand wringing was worth it. I was on my way to Alaska—and for just $10!
It all started when I received an email from United Airlines. “Alaska sale! For a limited time, you can fly to Alaska for just 20,000 frequent flyer miles.” At first I didn’t believe it. Even if it was true, the chances that it applied to St. Louis were slim. But I punched in my dates and applied my miles and the next thing I knew, I was going to Alaska.
I flew in to Anchorage on Monday, July 25. It was pouring rain and visibility was low. No mountains in sight. The weather report called for rain all week. Fortunately, I was prepared. (I had read that it rained a lot in Alaska.)
My first stop was a trip to the outdoor supply store for bear mace. I’d be doing some hiking alone so I wanted to be prepared in case I met a furry friend along the way. (The only bears I ended up seeing were from vehicles—two separate instances where black bears crossed the road in front of me—and multiple sightings from the tour bus in Denali National Park.)
Anchorage is like most US cities, with the exception that its moose population outnumbers the human residents, but there is still plenty to see there.
One of the highlights was biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail—a 10-mile (each way) stretch of paved trail that bordered the ocean on one side. It offered great views of the Anchorage skyline and I got to see a bull moose, a cow and two calves—just a few feet from the trail.
No trip to Anchorage would be complete without a drive Seward. Just 120 miles south of Anchorage, Seward is a quiet little town with shops and ice cream parlors. Not much to see. The scenic drive to the town is the real attraction. It passes by mountains, oceans filled with beluga whales and other sea life, glaciers, rushing streams and waterfalls. If you only have one day to sightsee in and around Anchorage, this is the road to do it on.
Along the way, I stopped off for a little hiking. There are numerous trails off the Seward highway, each offers a unique experience. I chose a trail that overlooked the bay. I was the only car at the trailhead parking lot, so I unpacked my bear spray before heading out.
The first part of the trail was pretty easy, but about half way through the gentle incline turned into a steep scramble to the top. I was just yards away from the peak when I heard something rustling in the brush. The woods were thick and wet with rain, so visibility was poor. I didn’t need to wait and find out what was lurking there. I turned quickly, but quietly, and made my way back to the car. Hiking in Alaska is definitely more intense than Missouri or Colorado!
I also stopped to hike to two glaciers along the way—the Burns Glacier and the Exit Glacier. Though once massive, rock-carving monsters, they’ve now melted to a fraction of their original sizes.
The real highlight of my Alaskan adventure took place about four and a half hours north of Anchorage in Denali National Park. Denali features six million acres of wilderness that is pristine thanks to protections put in place by the National Park Service. Only the first 15 miles of the park road is paved. The other 77 miles are restricted to park buses only. This limits the amount of traffic to the interior and protects the diverse wildlife that call the park home.
Denali is home to Mount McKinley—the largest mountain in North America—as well as grizzlies, moose, wolves, caribou and various other wildlife. I opted for the 12-hour bus tour, all the way to Wonder Lake. It was the longest option, but I was only there a day so I wanted to see as much as I could. The buses are great. You can get out wherever you want and wander off into the wilderness or go for a hike on a designated trail. The only rule—the bus couldn’t let you off within a mile of a wildlife sighting. This is to protect the wildlife more than it is to protect people.
If you plan to go to Denali, which if you’re going to Alaska you should plan to do, allow for at least three days. I spent a day and a half there and it just wasn’t enough time.
But what can you expect when you get your airfare for free? All in all it was a trip of a lifetime and it really reminded me how great and beautiful this country is.